Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: "akivisuals" <akivisuals@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 11:21 AM
Subject: [Digital BW] Mixing MIS-FS & FSN inks...


> I'm thinking of getting started with a CFS for my 1160 and am
> trying to determine which inks to use.  I want to use the Piezo
> driver with MIS FS inks (for ink costs), but am hesitating between
> the FS and FS-N inks.  After checking out the step wedges on
> this site showing the blends and the regular wedges with FS
> and FS-N inks I've decided that a blend would be a good
> alternative to the coolness of the FS-N and the warmth of the FS.
>
> Now my question is, how will mixing the inks affect the fading of
> the inks.  Paul Roark's 300 hr fade test tells me that the FS-N is
> way more fade resistant (actually color shift resistant).  Will
> blending 50/50 between the two inks cause a significant color
> shift in fade tests?

Andy,

The FS-Standard warming characteristics significantly effected the blends I
tried. I have no hard data but the 50/50 blend seemed to warm about as much
as 100% FS-S. The 50/50 blend is pretty close to the Warm Neutral PiezoTone
(which is still pretty warm to my eye) but if you want to have this as an
end point, I would suggest a 75/25 or 60/40 blend to offset the FS-S
warming.

I recommend you get several virgin cartridges and hand load different blends
to see what you like and how the warming goes. Not a lot has been done in
this area so the information is minimal. Also consider different blend
ratios for the different ink positions. I suspect that this may give you a
more interesting ink set.

>  Also, which inks need to be blended?  Just
> the 3 greys or does the black ink need to be blended as well?
> Are the blacks the same in both inksets?

Just the three grays since the blacks are the same.
>
> Thanks to all of you on this website.  You've all been so helpful in
> answering questions as I get started down this exciting
> quadtone path!

Good printing and let us know how the ink blending goes. We need the info.

Martin